Insurance agents in Pella have been scrambling this week to file hundreds of claims for flooded basements as a result of three consecutive nights of heavy rains. Chad Klein with the Ver Dught Agency says they’ve already filed forty claims, including several from the same neighborhood. He says those seeking to file a claim need to have “water back-up of sewer drains” coverage in their policy and may want to talk to their agent about what kind of coverage they have. Klein adds that coverage for back-ups is different than straight-forward flood insurance, which is purchased separately through the Federal Government and covers damage from surface flooding only.

Jim Gosselink with Tulip City Agency in Pella adds that he’s already had over twenty customers file claims for flooded basements – along with five claims for lightning damage from this week’s storms. Gosselink says those wanting to add “water back-up of sewer drains” coverage to their policy may be required to wait a certain period of time, depending on the insurance company. He says while nearly every company offers coverage for sewer back-ups, he knows of just one carrier that provides coverage for hydrostatic damage – which occurs when water pushes in through cracks in the wall or floor.